Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-10
The other Side of the state Di-
vision Question.


The other Side of the state Di.
vision Question.
~ In view of the attitude which the
HERALD has always taken on the ques-
fioa of State division we cannot per-
NIT the views of correspondent,
'priated elsewhere in this issue, to go
unchalIeneed. As to the legal propo-
sition, the writer would seem to make
il impossible to carve new State out
of an old one. He inclines to the be-
lief that in order to create a new State
the new State must first create her
self. This is true, as far as the con-
'stitutional requirement is concerned;
bui the steps leading up to it must
nece.sarily be possible before appli-
cation for the Fdation Of the new State
can bear fruit. Maine was formed
cut of Massachusetts in the same way
that South California will be erected
out Of California. The Legislature OF
Massachusetts, passed an act on the
| 18th OF June, 1919, authorizing
the formation of the new State, and
Congress admitted Maine into the
Union ON the 3rd of March, 1870. If
there is no validity in the Act OF our
Legislature passed in 1859, then we
shall have to secure the passage of
another Act. That is all there is
about it. As to the possibility OF Sc
curing such an Act, we believe the
difficulty is not insuperable. Just now
we are not strong enough in the
Legislature to force the passage OF
sach law against the opposition OF
the rest OF the State. But when the
next decennial census has been taken,
Southern California will have a great
en- population than the northern part
Of the State, exclusive of San Fran
cisco. The apportionment of member
ship to the Legislature under that
census will give us strength enough
-, pass any measure upon which our
people are a unit. Where, then,
is, the mountain of difficulty
we shall have to overcome before we
can go before Congress with our Con-
stitution in our hands and ask for
statehood? The population of Cali
ioxnia was 107 900 when she was ad-
mitted. We shall knock at the door
Of Congress with at least 0,000, and
perhaps 5O0, 900, people.
Our correspondent dismisses the
reasons for division much more lightly
than their serious nature deserves.
We consider that the first and highest
reason is the fact that the life-blood of
Southern California is in irrigation.
The agricultural tendency of the north
is to ripsrianism, and as long as we
are trammeleG with our connection Q
cannot hope to secure such legislation
as will enable us to develop our water
re iources to their maximum limit.
Another very important reason with
us for statehood is the power and in
huenco it would give us in Congress
and with the Government. With two
Senators AMI at least two Representa-
fiyes, we could make ourselves heard
and felt where now we are merely
;slightel. We have harbor possibili-
ties on the Southern coast that would
szDon fructify into noble ports OF rem
dezyons to shipping if we had the
power and the influence of sovereign
State at Washington. Instead OF deal
ing out dollars in driblets for these
great improvements, they would receive
appropriations consistent with those
so readily granted to the Lake and
Atlantic coast States. Indeed, in this
respect the whole Pacific coast would
experience the advantage OF two addi-
rional Senators.
The sentimental traditions OF
California restraining us from sep
aration are not appealing enough
TO make us overlook the great
rfactical advantages we would gain
from statehood. Homogeneity may
not he strong argument with some
people, but it is really a powerful
factor in the prosperity and happiness
Il communities. If Calhoun appealed
10 il in behalf Of secession, he doubt
less did 20 because he knew that it
was q convincing kind of argument.
!. We appeal to it for the same reason,
and for the further reason, that a
state whose interests are homogeneous
must necessarily become a strong
State--strong in its power to make
progress and to march on the best
lines leading to prosperity. ltmeans a
nnifcafion Of interests; and unifica-